North Carolina

At the 2018 National Training Workshop in Portland, ME, March 19-22, NC AgrAbility Partnership was widely represented by the participation of staff, partners, farmers, and students.

• NCA&T Landscape Architecture students Ron Cubbage, Selah Grant, and Tyron Alford, presented the poster "The Johnson Universal Farm". This project features a high-yielding, low-input, sustainable farm concept for a visually impaired NC AgrAbility client. The poster included images and brief narratives that provided an overview of the project along with quantification of potential crop yields, both pre- and post-design.
• NC AgrAbility graduate student Kristoff Minus presented the poster "NC AgrAbility Building Better Connections with Minority Landowners". This study obtained and analyzed information about awareness of the AgrAbility program, preferred methods of communicating information about the program, and suggestions on how to better serve clients with disabilities from farmers attending the annual Minority Landowners Conference in North Carolina.
• East Carolina University MSOT (Master of Science in occupational therapy student Brooke Sudano presented the poster "Ergonomic Adaptations for Poultry Growers". The project seeks to assist producers that have a higher risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders due to prolonged participation in strenuous poultry production tasks. The project offers ergonomic solutions to many of these tasks and shares the benefits of the different options.
• NC AgrAbility Partnership presented two sessions: - "NC AgrAbility: The 1890 Experience", by Dr. Janine Parker, Dr. Paula Faulkner, and Beatriz Rodriguez; and "Building Stronger and Successful Partnerships", by Beatriz Rodriguez, Tammy Kroger, and Stephen Brink. In the first session, information was shared about the work of NC AgrAbility Partnership through the 1890 University, NCA&T; the efforts to serve minority farmers, the barriers that small, limited-resource, and socially disadvantaged farmers face on a daily basis, and the ways the program reaches out to the minorities in NC. Cooperative Extension at NCA&T and the NC AgrAbility Partnership work in collaboration with various institutions across the state, participate in the different events provided for minority farmers and landowners, women in agriculture, and other groups, and provide training opportunities to those working with farmers with disabilities.
  The second session, "Building Stronger and Successful Partnerships", presented the challenges that NC AgrAbility Partnership has faced while serving farmers with disabilities. However, it is understood that if there is no struggle, there is no progress, and the NC AgrAbility Partnership welcomes challenges. The partnership with NC Assistive Technology Program brought a closer relationship of the program with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, and it is strengthening the collaborative work with other institutions as well. Some aspects to consider on an effective partnership are effective communication, proper future planning, strength of partnership, and community creation. NC AgrAbility Partnership members are cultivating the AgrAbility values and being fervent advocates of the needs of farmers and ranchers with disabilities in North Carolina.
• At the "International Panel" session, NC AgrAbility was represented by Dr. Paula Faulkner. Panelists shared the work they have done overseas with students wanting to learn how to help farmers with disabilities, communities that have received information about AgrAbility, the needs of farmers in developing countries, and how to connect foreign countries with AgrAbility.
• NC farmers John Holshouser and Davon Goodwin participated as panelists in the "Veterans Panel" session. Veteran farmers shared their participation in the military, their experience as farmers with disabilities, and the help they have received from different organizations and programs.
• NC AgrAbility Partnership also participated as an exhibitor with information about the NC AgrAbility Partnership featuring NC farmers, their farms, their work, and the services provided through participation in the program.

Small Farms Week was North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University's annual tribute to small-scale agriculture, held March 25-31. NC AgrAbility Partnership staffed a booth were farmers had the opportunity to talk to AgrAbility client Kyle Cashwell about farm safety and how to actively participate in the program. Farmers were also provided with information and demonstrations of adaptive equipment and ergonomic tools that can ease pain and reduce injuries while farming or gardening.

On March 2nd, a program about NC AgrAbility Partnership was broadcast live by the Hispanic radio station, Nueva Vida 880 AM, in Clinton, NC. Clinton is one of the largest areas with farmworkers in NC and information was provided about the program and how farmworkers can connect with resources through NC AgrAbility.

Submitted by Beatriz (Betty) Rodriguez